Page 51 - CARILEC CE Industry Journal_Oct_2019

After the GoS signed the Stockholm Convention in 2002, IMPLEMENTATION OF EBS PCB
the convention entered into force in May 22nd, 2004. In MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
2008, the GoS in collaboration with the United Nations
Development Program (UNDP) executed a national
inventory on PCB’s. This inventory in which N.V. EBS also The implementation of a PCB management system started
participated, was part of the project "Initial assistance to with the “Plan” phase. The first activity was the execution
enable Suriname to fulfill its obligations under the of an inventory. In 2008, EBS studied their distribution
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants". and transmission transformer data base in order to identify
During the national inventory, it was apparent that the the amount of in service transformers, manufactured
N.V. EBS is an important stakeholder when it comes to earlier than 1985 known as “old transformers”.
transformers with PCB oil, which were used in the past. Approximately 700 distribution transformers that are in
In order to lead the PCB project (inventory –phasing out) service were identified as “old transformers” which are still
to a good end, the EBS has started with the development intact and usable. Simultaneously, distribution
of a PCB management system. transformers that were already out of service and stocked
in the storage yard were tested on PCB. Also procedures
LEGAL REQUIREMENT AND have been developed for the phase out of these
transformers. Some of these procedures are stickers with
STANDARDS REGARDING the text “contains PCB” were tagged on all “old
PCB MANAGEMENT transformers” and the moment these are taken out from
the network, they have to be tested on PCB. It must be
noted that also all transmission transformers that were
The legislative framework for environmental management identified as “old transformers” were all tested on PCB’s.
in Suriname is based on the Constitution of the Republic With respect to methods used for the analysis of PCB, only
of Suriname which entrusts the State with the three methods have been used up till now which are the
responsibility to create and promote conditions necessary Clor N Oil test kits, the L2000DXT PCB/Chloride analyzer
to protect nature and preserve ecological balance. At the and Gas Chromatography (GC). The Clor N Oil test kits and
moment, Suriname has an environmental framework law the L2000DXT PCB/Chloride analyzer were used to get an
in concept, which still needs to be adopted by the indication whether the oil has a concentration above the
National Assembly. The import and export of chemicals limit of 50 ppm. A GC is used in order to analyze the exact
are regulated through the State Order Negative List which PCB concentration in ppm. All these methods have been
regulates the import and export of goods. Currently, PCB used to analyze PCB in distribution transformers. 77
containing materials are on mentioned list as being goods distribution transformers have been tested with the Clor N
for which a license is required. There are also different Oil test kits from which 17 have a PCB concentration
national environmental related laws that support the above 50 ppm. These will be further analyzed with a GC
protection of the environment against for example oil for the exact PCB concentration. Regarding all
spills with or without PCB’s. In order to improve efforts to transmission transformers, the Clor N Oil test kits were
protect the environment, the GoS has ratified several used from which two had a PCB concentration above the
international environmental agreements. Relevant for the limit of 50 ppm. Through the analyses with a GC, the PCB
implementation of PCB management is the Stockholm concentration are 570 ppm en 164 ppm.
Convention and the Basel Convention ratified in the year
2011. This has led to the implementation of Besides “old transformers” and out of service “old
environmental programs by the GoS and the use of a PCB transformers” with PCB, it must also be considered that
limit value of 50 ppm. indicated by the Basel Convention. transformer waste oil has been stocked from transformers
maintenance activities. These were also tested with a GC
SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO and had a PCB concentration of 53 ppm.
PHASE OUT PCB TRANSFORMERS Also a soil investigation was done in one of the historical
storage places in order to determine if the soil was
In order to handle PCB in a systematic way the N.V. EBS contaminated with oil containing PCB. None of the sampled
developed a PCB management system. Through this soils showed levels of contamination. All PCB's were below
development, a PCB policy was implemented in order to reporting limits, and the sum of PCB concentration is thus
manage all related PCB activities. The Plan-Do-Check-Act well below the intervention value (1.0 mg/kg dm) and the
model is used as the basis of the PCB management maximum value for Industry (0.5 mg/kg dm) .
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system. The “Plan” phase consists among other things of
an internal PCB inventory of PCB contaminated The results of the above mentioned inventory inclusive
equipment and oil, identification of legal requirements and the analysis of PCB in distribution and transmission
standards, the execution of a risk analysis, setting of goals transformers show that not all “old transformers”
and targets, action plans and programs. The “Do” phase obviously have a concentration above 50 ppm. This
consists among other things of communication, includes also the waste oil and contaminated soil which
awareness and training, document control, operational had a concentration below the maximum allowable
control. The “Check” phase consists of monitoring and concentration. Therefore, it is necessary that all
audit activities and the “Act” phase consists of transformer oil of “old transformers” and historical
management review. In this publication only the phases of storage places are tested on PCB to execute an effective
eminence importance and impact will be highlighted. PCB management system.
CE INDUSTRY Journal 49